Given the need for an energy transition and the pursuit of energy security, it has been argued that Mexico’s future holds an emerging market for the development and use of less polluting electric fuels.
These fuels, also known as e-fuels, are produced from renewable energy sources and, in many cases, can represent an innovative solution for reducing carbon emissions in sectors that are more difficult to achieve direct electrification, such as aviation and maritime transport.
Honeywell emphasized in a statement that the future implementation of these alternatives would not only boost the country’s competitiveness in the energy sector, but could also strengthen its commitment to environmental protection and international cooperation for a cleaner and more sustainable future, as their combustion is climate-neutral.
Especially considering that the CO2 they emit comes from particles already in the atmosphere and not from hydrocarbons extracted from the ground, as in the production of renewable aviation fuel (SAF) , which is closely tied to the availability of sustainable raw materials and even to current competitive costs that impact the future.
In 2023, the aviation industry was responsible for 2.5% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions , according to the International Energy Agency . This highlights the potential benefits of introducing innovations like SAF to forge a safer and more sustainable future.
“The demand for and use of SAF as an alternative fuel is growing in other Latin American countries. For example, Honeywell holds more than 50 licenses for renewable fuel technologies around the world. Specifically in Latin America, where our company provides technology for SAF development, together with Embraer, we announced successful tests with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), marking the first flight exclusively using emission-free technologies in this region. The test demonstrated that the aircraft’s engine functioned perfectly, dispelling any doubts that the fuel would be inferior to its petroleum-based version,” said Leon Melli, Director of Sales for Honeywell Energy & Sustainability Solutions for Latin America .
In Mexico, the government is currently working on developing a pilot blending plant project with the ultimate goal of beginning to produce sustainable aviation fuels by 2030 to meet the sector’s current and future needs and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
For their part, Mexican airlines have independently taken the initiative to meet emissions reduction targets , facing the challenge of a lack of SAF production and refining plants.
Honeywell, an integrated operating company that provides various services, is aligned with the energy transition and is working to continue bringing to Mexico all the advances of its Honeywell UOP eFining technology , which converts captured CO2 from the atmosphere and low-emission hydrogen into renewable aviation fuel.
E-fuels have the potential to significantly reduce aviation emissions . Renewable energy sources drive the conversion of CO2 and hydrogen into liquid e-fuels that are sustainable, high-performance, and can be implemented in existing aircraft without requiring major engine or infrastructure modifications.
If Mexico invests in technologies that enable the production of renewable fuels from a wider variety of raw materials in the future, as well as government policies and incentives, flights can be made to use at least 50% sustainable fuels.
Honeywell has already made significant progress in this area in other countries, such as the United States. United Airlines operated the first 100% SAF-powered passenger flight from Chicago to Washington, DC, using turbine fuel produced with Honeywell’s Ecofining technology.
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